Washington takes the lead
California is no longer the most expensive place to fill up in the United States. That title now belongs to Washington, where drivers are paying more at the pump than anywhere else in the nation.
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the average price of regular gas in Washington on Monday, September 15, was $4.658 per gallon. That’s up sharply from $4.459 just a week earlier and $4.150 a year ago. In some counties, like San Juan and Pacific, prices have already crossed the $5 mark.
Meanwhile, Californians are now paying slightly less—an average of $4.653 per gallon. While that’s still among the steepest prices in the country, it is down from $4,770 at this time last year.
Where other states stand
After Washington and California, Hawaii comes in with the third-highest gas prices at $4.478 per gallon, followed by Oregon at $4.293. In the rest of the country, prices remain below $4. Nationally, the average cost for a gallon of regular gas is $3.177.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, highlighted Washington’s unusual position, noting, “You are literally the only state that is above where it was one year ago.”
Why are Washington prices so high
Several factors are driving Washington’s sharp increase. A recent jump in state fuel taxes is one. On July 1, Washington raised its per-gallon gas tax from 49.4 cents to 55.4 cents, one of the highest in the nation. That tax will continue to rise annually, adjusting to inflation. Diesel fuel taxes are also climbing and are scheduled to increase further in 2027 and beyond.
On top of that, the state’s Climate Commitment Act added a CO₂ emissions fee earlier this summer, pushing prices up by another 6 cents per gallon.
But experts say taxes aren’t the only culprit. Refinery issues, pipeline outages, and supply disruptions have played an even bigger role. Refineries in California—where much of Washington’s supply originates—have faced unplanned shutdowns and maintenance problems. One recent outage even halted the Olympic Pipeline, which transports fuel from Washington refineries to Oregon and beyond.
California refinery shutdowns add pressure
California’s refining system is a lifeline for the West Coast. Any disruption there has ripple effects across the region, including in Washington. Earlier this year, a fire at the Martinez Refining Company in the Bay Area pushed Washington’s gas prices up by more than 20 cents overnight.
The outlook isn’t getting easier. Two California refineries are set to close in the coming years—Phillips 66 in Los Angeles by October and Valero in Benicia by April 2026. With less refining capacity, states like Washington and Oregon could face continued supply squeezes.
All seven West Coast states currently rank in the nation’s top 10 for highest gas prices, according to AAA.
Will drivers get relief soon?
Despite the recent spike, some good news may be on the horizon. September 15 marked the official switch to winter-blend gasoline, which is cheaper to produce than summer-blend fuel. With fall also bringing a seasonal drop in demand, Washington drivers could see prices begin to fall in the next two to three weeks.
Still, there are risks that could keep costs high. A major storm during hurricane season could disrupt oil production in the Gulf of Mexico, leading to price spikes nationwide. Global tensions are another factor. Ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and Iran, could impact global oil supplies and push prices up again.
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What’s next
For now, Washington drivers are shouldering the highest gas bills in the country, but experts say relief should come soon. “Washington now should see significant relief over the next 2-3 weeks with today’s transition to easier-to-produce winter gasoline,” De Haan explained.
Until then, Washington holds the crown for the highest gas prices in the U.S.—a title that California has long carried, but one most drivers would rather not claim.
